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Waiting Hearts: Centaurs #1

The Centaur's Secret

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Maddox is looking for truths buried deep in the past…

Terran has been living in hiding for several hundred years. He and his brothers have no choice, it is either their lonely existence or risking the lives of shifter kind. They have a duty to protect them from the weapon his creators made and it’s a sacrifice he’s more than willing to make.

And then one day, something changes. Time is passing differently and that can’t be a good sign… or can it?

Finding his father’s journals opens up a whole new world to lion shifter Maddox, one no one will believe exists. His head says he needs to find the enforcer pack and let them handle his discovery or at the very least confide in his best friend. His heart shouts something else: find the forest, the one where they live.

He follows his heart, discovering the beasts of legend…. and coming face to face with his centaur mate.

The Centaur’s Secret is a sweet with knotty heat M/M Mpreg Shifter Romance set in the Waiting Hearts world by the popular writing team of Jena Wade and Lorelei M. Hart. It features an omega who, in his quest for answers, discovers so much more, an alpha was never meant to exist and holds the key to more than just Maddox’s heart, returning enemies, retribution, some old friends, true fated love, and an adorable baby. If you love your shifters hawt, your omegas strong, and your mpreg with heart, pre-order your copy of The Centaur’s Secret today.

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2023

About the author

Jena Wade

111 books249 followers
Jena began writing in January of 2013 as a New Year's Resolution--and so far she has stuck to it!

She lives in Michigan. By day she works as a web developer, and at night she writes. Born and raised on a farm, she spends most of her free time outdoors, playing in the garden, or riding her horses. She also helps run the family dairy farm.

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5 stars
139 (48%)
4 stars
96 (33%)
3 stars
43 (14%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for kymagirl.
4,229 reviews60 followers
September 3, 2023
Alpha centaur Terran lives with his brother Luan and Apollo in a forest world of their own that seems invisible to the external world. Omega lion shifter Maddox struggles with his place in Asilo and decides to leave with his father’s journal to search for the centaur he’s been dreaming about. Terran and his brothers are shocked when Maddox makes his way into their forest and Terran can only stare at the mate his heart calls out for. Things heat up quickly between Terran and Maddox. Lovely to have Asilo and Steelwick friends back for this new series. Terran is so sweet and caring when it comes to Maddox and their baby – loved it when he got to go shopping for the first time. Sweet and spicy MM shifter-centaur fated mates romance with Omegaverse elements (AO, heat, biting, and more). Luan may be up next, but I can’t wait for glowery Apollo’s story.
Profile Image for Penumbra.
1,075 reviews14 followers
September 23, 2023
The Centaur’s Secret is the first book in the ‘Waiting Hearts World Romance’ series. It stars Maddox an omega lion shifter, and Terran, a centaur. The story is told in first person from both Maddox and Terran’s povs.

This book appears to be a spin-off of another series. Since I didn’t read the other series and what happened in it, I felt lost and didn’t care much for Maddox and the other returning characters. You might enjoy this book more if you’ve read at least one book from whatever series this story is from. The blurb describes the plot well enough so I won’t go over it again.

I decided to give this ARC a try because of the blurb, however the writing is left wanting. The plot read like random ideas cobbled together without flowing segues or full explanations to the scenes or topics that were brought up. For instance, how and why Centaurs were created. With some vague hand waving, it’s explained their creator wanted revenge on shifters for some unknown reason, and for some unknown reason the Centaurs didn’t turn out the way their creator wanted. There’s more vague talk about ‘recipes’ which were the creator’s methods of creating creatures. Vagueness about how the recipes got into shifter hands, and vagueness about the bad guys. Just far too much vagueness. None of the ideas presented in the story were fleshed out satisfactorily. The rest of the plot was the predictable instant mate and mpreg.

Character voices were inconsistent, especially on Terran’s part. Sometimes he spoke in what went for archaic dialogue, and others like contemporary speech. The only two voices that remained consistent were Luan and Apollo’s. All other characters sounded the same. These authors still haven’t learned how to create distinct voices and keep them unique. There’s a lot of monologue which came across as telling and because of that, it didn’t pull me into the story so I couldn’t identify with the characters. I couldn’t believe in Maddox and Terran as a couple because of this.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend The Centaur’s Secret. It’s not that well written, with vague details of random ideas for the plot. There’s too much monologue so I couldn’t identify with the characters, and too many of the character voices sounded the same. I give this book, 2 Stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for els✨.
989 reviews40 followers
September 1, 2024

- a MM shifter/monster romance! centaur x lion, omegaverse, fated mates, MPreg, found family!
- this one moves QUICK
- i am so glad they’re accepting that they’re fated mates instead of fighting it, so many of these couples fight it!!
- they’re all so accepting of Maddox and it makes my heart sing
- oh i do LOOOVE a hear scene!!
- SORRY HOW BIG IS HIS DICK?! but excellent first sex scenes
- i love how the brothers are so accepting as well!! even the grumpy one
- the creator sounds terrifying tbh
- heheheh he’s pregnanttttt
- OMG STEELWICK ARE HERE!!! their my fav series out of all of this
- and Kian’s here too?! their reunion was the sweetest thing
- i love how Terran and Maddox took time for each other during everyone coming and we got an excellent sex scene with it
- well that went from 0-100 REAL quick
- excellent third act conflict tho, fight scene was written well!
- and their heart song saving the day, i love it!!
- would of been nice to of seen a bit more of their strategy or like initial meeting with the council instead of the very last bit
- and omg excellent epilogue/birthing scene!! a tiny lil centaur 🥺
- okay so LOVING this one!! it’s so much fun and very fast paced!
Profile Image for Judy Ferrell.
Author 20 books84 followers
September 19, 2023
Mystery found

Maddox always believed in centaurs even when others didn't. Now he is following his heart in the hopes of proving they are real. He stumbles through the forest to his fated mate Terrain and proves the truth.
Profile Image for Astro.
22 reviews13 followers
April 30, 2024
So annoying that you have to read like 4 other series before this one because it just makes this book feel like a fanfic that was completed over a weekend
Profile Image for Destynnee  Realta.
251 reviews25 followers
October 23, 2023
Terran kissed my temple. Given I’d been the first man he knew aside from his creator and his brothers, my mate knew how to kiss, and these little bits of affection he offered me.. The sweetness was unlike anything I ever experienced. I loved it. “What do you think, Omega mine? Do you think you want to be part of a herd?”


The Centaur's Secret
Waiting Hearts Centaurs
A Waiting Hearts World Romance
Book 1
By Jena Wade and Lorelei M. Hart
174 pages
Currently on Kindle Unlimited in the USA.
Publication date September 10, 2023
a.co/d/5vrxMZJ
Mpregwithhart.com
Thejenawade.com
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I received a copy of this book from Book Sprout and the Author, and this is my review.
Please, watch out for possible spoilers, including but not limited to, TW/CN/Etc.

If you enjoy
Omegaverse
Mpreg
Shifters
Found Family
Fated Mates
Then this might just be for you.

This quick read was the first thing I have read by these authors.

I enjoy omegaverse content, and find the mpreg part of it so very interesting. I liked each character as we got to know them. I enjoyed how possessive Terran was of Maddox the moment they found each other. I liked how we got to see the Centaurs herd dynamic in a way. I loved how protective not only Terran was of Maddox, but his brothers were as well. Because Maddox was now their family, a member of their herd.

There were a few things that did seem odd, like when the centaurs would use human slang. It seemed a bit out of place at times.I do wish we would have learned a bit more about this omegaverse, and their hierarchy, when omegas surface, how alphas were picked, even if there are any women in this universe. Because, at no time in the story, did I hear anything about women, other than their witch/creator who may have been a woman. And the Goddess who gave them magic... So, it was a little confusing… Is this a universe where everyone is male? If so, that’s cool, I just wanna know that. I also really wanted to know more about Terran’s brothers. How they felt about Terran having a fated mate, what that meant for them, how those changes would happen for their herd. You got little pieces, but I think it just wasn’t enough. I just WANTED MORE. lol

Overall, I think the plot was interesting, the spicy was great, how their mate bond work was also interesting, and I want to know more about that!.I would totally read longer books about these characters and this universe.

I do think this is a good one to sit down on a rainy day and dive into.

4 / 5 stars
-Destynnee

Possible TW, Tropes, and Genres
Mature, Sexually Explicit Scenes, MM, MPreg,Gay, LGBTQAI+ Rep, Lion Shifter, Centaurs, Mystery Sub Plot, Mentions of Death of Previous Pack, Mentions of Death of Sibling, Heat, Slick, Oral, Anal, Bareback, Breeding with Pregnancy, Witches, Magic, Attempted Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and possibly more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nina Diab.
3,565 reviews37 followers
October 2, 2023
'They did exist. I knew they did deep down in my being, and I refused to deny it any longer. I even knew somehow that there was more than just my mate out there. Recently I realized that my mate wasn’t alone, that the muffled voices I heard weren’t all from the same being. There were three of them. I felt it in my heart. Even if I couldn’t put it into words.'

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. A mm centaur romance was a must-read for me. But I didn't realize going into it, the connection to another series by these authors. I won't say much in case what that connection is is considered a spoiler. But it just made me all the more excited to read this journey. Lion shifter Maddox felt in his heart that the centaur was really out there and not just a myth. Terran, lonely and living in hiding for so long, didn't believe he had a fated mate out there.

'How could we have fated mates when we weren’t supposed to exist in the first place? We couldn’t.'

I couldn't wait to see these two meet! I was charmed and fascinated by the story and couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to the brothers getting their own stories as well. A great start to a new series. 5 stars.
Profile Image for Jude.
942 reviews4 followers
April 7, 2024
So -- the story first - the plot is pretty basic and the idea it is based on is well used - find each other, instant love, bad guy interferes, and BANG problem solved. The world building is minimal as this is a new series in a world that already has three? maybe four series. Each one seems to spin off of the previous. However, this world really crashed as the new element introduced had just too many holes.
Characters - not great. Jena and Lorelel (yes there is a second author) usually deliver stereotypes or two dimensional characters. They also seem to be unable to develop distinct character voices and often switch speakers without framing so the reader will lose track of who is talking.
The fact that the editing is not very good does not help.
Final comment: Why do I continue to read them? They are replacing the old time Harlequin books in my life. Yes - I am over 60. A reading addict like myself needs something to read even when they are busy with other stuff. This I can read without cringing too much and put it down without hesitation when I need to move to the next step of what ever project I am working on and if I don't pick it back up - I won't be upset.
4,026 reviews16 followers
September 18, 2023
Following your gut can lead to your treasure. Maddox, was appreciative of the sanctuary he is offered, but he must leave. He feels his mate is 'out there' and it's time to go look for him. He has ideas. He has dreams. He has a feeling he needs to move. Terran and his brothers Luan and Apollo, centaurs all, have been living in a secret hidden forest for a millenia at least. They have all their needs met and exist. They don't understand their environment, but they accept the accomodation to their survival. Luan studies the why the most. When Maddox enters their forest, Terran feels a draw to him. Their meeting kicks off a change in events of their lives, their environments that is part of the continuing saga of Asilio and the tasks of Steelwick. The mystery of the journals deepens and we get some answers and more questions. We deal with adventure, love mates babies, old friends, new friends and intrigue. Great new series. Maddox and Terran are a dream couple.Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
45 reviews
December 6, 2023
Almost

I have read books by these authors in my early start to MM romance. I don't recall their style being so "Dick and Jane." I didn't read series before this but I don't think that was the problem. The problem was the simplistic handling of situations. Places where detail would have enriched the situation were missed. For a book discussing such serious content, it skipped to solutions like a snap of the fingers, Jumping over anything that could have added any depth. Solutions that should have been hard to come by were not even explained, just poof, happened with no fanfare. Disappointing.
Profile Image for Mimi.
2,271 reviews
April 2, 2024
3.75 stars

This is my first centaur, shifter book, if that’s what you wanna call them (shifters).

When I first started reading this book, I was a little lost, and wasn’t sure if I would get the jest of the plot, but I think all in all I was able to follow along. I have read some of A Waiting Hearts, world romance books, but not the whole series, so for others, you might want to catch up on the Asilo pack.

The three forms of the baby is going to be an interesting dynamic in the next couple of books in the series. Let’s see how the pack handles them, kids are always a blessing.
1,843 reviews3 followers
September 27, 2023
Maddox followed his heart and ended up finding his mate, opening a whole new world hearts looking for their fates.

Taking journals that Steelwick had been searching for, Maddox went on a search to prove centaurs exist. He found his fated, Terran. He and his brothers were a secret for so long, I can't imagine how isolating that must have been.

All of them were so compassionate to Maddox.

I can't wait to see them all receive their happily ever afters. They deserve love and families.

**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
842 reviews
January 2, 2024
💜💜💜💜💜

This is a paranormal romance w/ mpreg, the first book in a series that connects with a bunch of interconnected series by the same authors. Maddox’s brother tore his world apart with his evilness but amongst the books with horrible things come the information that he uses to search for the Centaur from his dreams. Terran has spent more than 1000 years in the forest with his brothers and when he meets Maddox, he knows they are fated mates. There is sweetness, and delight as they settle but there’s evil still lurking. What a great story!
💜💜💜💜💜
Profile Image for Demetra Roussakis.
1,131 reviews10 followers
September 23, 2023
Loved this book. Maddox was supposed to meet up with Kian, but left as he felt he needed to get to the forest. Terran and his brothers are centaurs who were created. They lived in the forest for hundreds of years but felt a shift. When Maddox entered the forest he met Terran and they realized they were mates. Great story with Maddox finding out that centaurs exist and one is actually his mate. Great world building, high heat and chemistry. Cannot wait till the next book comes along.
Profile Image for Shelley Chastagner.
2,583 reviews37 followers
September 23, 2023
This is a new spinoff of the Asilo Pride series. Maddox has escaped his brother and even though he has some guilt about things he is determined to follow his heart. Meeting Terran brings him so much happiness. I liked that Terran is so sweet with Maddox. Terran's brothers made me smile with how much they dote on Maddox as well. They have to deal with a bad guy and the counsel but they do it together. The ending is super sweet.
November 6, 2023
Those Book one of The Centaurs Book Series .

I did not see the Centaurs coming but I'm glad their here . I like that the mysterious creations of the Witch and her mate are coming into play . I hope that we see others they created especially the werewolf and the Bobcats . Anyway this was a sweet story and I'm glad that Maddox got his Happy ever after . Considering the hell he went through because of his brother .
September 11, 2023
Great

I love them, i see none so many wrong text but i see two i know is so wrong and that is at Armand is a bear, not a lion yet twice Terrian say lion to him
It is confuse, speciellt for people how have read Armand book and know at he is a bear as Matty is also a bear and come from same den
Profile Image for DLB2572.
2,574 reviews22 followers
September 14, 2023
New Shifters

This is an interesting new spin on shifters for this connected universe. Maddox and Terran's story is an exciting and entertaining story which brings out a new shifter type. I enjoyed reading this and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
Profile Image for Debbie Benson.
6,203 reviews23 followers
September 21, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how Maddox and Terran were drawn to each other. They mate and together with Terran's brothers, they make being together possible. I like how they expose the truth of the journals and help destroy them as well as the cackle spreading word of them.
162 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2023
I loved this sweet m/m shifter romance with Maddox who took the journals that Steelwick have been looking for Maddox believes that Centaur’s exist and that his mate is out there so he goes looking for them and he finds them and his mate Terran. A fantastic love story with sexy scenes and babies and I can’t wait to read about the other brothers and I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Akasha721.
642 reviews
October 8, 2023
Maddox has returned to the series and with a surprising mate! Terran and his brothers have lived for thousands of years alone and now he has a mate. With the both of them finding instant attraction their heart song brings them together like nothing else can. Great book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for lori forsyth.
507 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2024
OMG freaking awesome

I'll read just about anything by Jena Wade & Lorelei M Hart & I fave read the series prior to this one but this series is Apollo different from anything I've read - it was Awesome!!!!! Of course thus first book had to establish the characters & again it was Awesome - I want my own Centaur!!!!
Thank you - Lori
1,000 reviews5 followers
September 15, 2023
Great story

I absolutely loved this story. The world building is so amazing. This can be read as a stand-alone and a start to a new series but it’s so much better to read all of the other stories in this world.
Profile Image for Nicole Deanne Veracruz.
1,257 reviews8 followers
September 23, 2023
This was my first Mpreg book. I absolutely loved Omega Maddox and Alpha Terran. I can't imagine how lonely Terran and his brother's had been. I really hope Apollo finds his mate next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Meriadoc Drapper.
45 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2023
It's fine? It was cute enough. A few spelling mistakes but that happens. I'm just waiting for the day when Hyenas aren't portrayed as drugged up villains tbh. It's a tired trope that just needs to die at this point.
542 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2024
I loved it!

This was an insta-love story from the beginning! I haven't read many stories about Centaurs but really enjoyed this one. Can t wait to find out what happens with the brothers!
348 reviews14 followers
May 29, 2024
I love monster Erotica Romance books. Very well written, love the characters, world building and OMG, the spice. Had all my attention and lefted me wanting more. This is a new to me author and I will continue to read this series and her books.
531 reviews
June 2, 2024
Opposites Attract

Maddox a lion shifter felt a pull to a forest he'd never seen before. Once there he found his mate, Terran a centaur, thought to be a myth. It's a simple and sweet story.
2,024 reviews11 followers
September 13, 2023
Thought this was a great start to a new series. I like the way the Centaur and his mate are handled--it is so different from other shifter stories. Recommend reading.
1,839 reviews8 followers
September 14, 2023
centaurs

Wow this was sooo good. I really enjoyed the flow of this story as well as the characters. This was a enchanting read. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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